Shaw, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, claimed she thought her gran had allowed her to take the money to help with day-to-day living

Charlotte Crangle, prosecuting, said: “There were all kinds of payments, including some to restaurants and beauty shops, as well as other items. There was also one family holiday paid for, which the whole family went to.”

Shaw, from Oldham in Greater Manchester, claimed she thought her gran had allowed her to take the money to help with day-to-day living.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Shaw wept as she admitted a charge of fraud by abuse of position between May 2016 and March 2017.

In an unusual move, a judge imposed a partially suspended 18-month sentence in which she will be jailed until December 21 before being brought back to court to see if she will spend Christmas behind bars.

Since her arrest Shaw has been suspended from her job at a medical surgery and has been working as an assistant at a Sainsbury’s supermarket

Since her arrest Shaw has been suspended from her job at a medical surgery and has been working as an assistant at a Sainsbury’s store.

The children will be cared for by their father while she is in jail.

Sentencing Shaw, Judge Bernard Lever said: “Sitting as a judge for 27-and-a-half years, there has been a difference in regards to the changing of sentencing options - but there used to be an option for partially suspended sentences.

“I believe the solution to this case is this lady should spend some time behind bars because what she did was despicable.

“As her grandmother was getting confused, she was in the position to look after her and she was the one in position of authority.

''She had access to her personal accounts. Therefore I have to decided to send her to custody straight away.

“But this is not a crime committed by those two young children aged 11 and 13. I will reconsider whether to suspend this sentence and impose some unpaid work and I will decide whether she can see her children and come home for Christmas.

“This is an intrinsically depressing situation for her and her family. The victim and the public must be able to understand the courts reaction.

“I hope this will act as a cathartic effect when she is released to be with her family. The clanging of the prison gates will serve as punishment enough and it is only because of her children and their Christmas that I make the time spent in custody so short.”

Andrea Locke, defending, said: “She has shown genuine remorse. She has two children and one of her biggest regrets was having to sit both down and tell them about this offence. Their great grandmother played a great part in their lives too.

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“This is a not a situation where she has preyed on a vulnerable woman and where she thought she could get away with it. This is a victim whom she took day to day care of. Her aunt does not support the prosecution, neither does the majority of her family.

“If the decision is predicated on the clanging of the prison door in a short sentence, then this is a punitive measure. She is utterly distraught.”

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